Briana Zaffiro

Thread of Starter Packs to network for PhD and postdoc positions in Biology (or adjacent fields)! 🧵

First up: Starter Pack for students looking for PhD positions! go.bsky.app/EFj87fi

For those interested in Masters in lab and field based research in infectious disease we have 3 fantastic programmes to choose from MSc Immunology, medical parasitology and entomology and medical microbiology. They benefit from very flexible module choices and summer projects in UK and abroad!

Are you a PI in a biology field looking for students to join your lab as a PhD student? I made a Starter Pack to help PIs and potential PhD students connect! If you would like to be added to this pack, please let me know! go.bsky.app/EFj87fi

To say this mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) was packed to the brim with parasites is an understatement. Found a lot of cool worms, and was able to get this video of one of them moving around the bowl!

Had a fantastic time at ASP this week!!! Met quite a few new worm friends and looking forward to Orlando next year!

Postdoc position open to investigate chronic Toxoplasma infection!

elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...

Hello ASP 😊

Spent a day at the docks, got some worms in return and met new friends (including the tarpon!)

Last month, I got to work up and see a snapshot of the parasite community of this huge barracuda (Sphyraena argentea) given from one of my lab mates. Surprisingly little (relatively) endoparasites in the cuda!

Had the unique experience of teaching a group of kids (mainly ages 8-10) about parasites! Had a variety of reactions, but overall they were interested and pretty engaged in the content. I 100% recommend to anyone looking to take on the challenge (bring props haha)

A GBE Growth Chamber with peppers, amaranth, tomatoes, ground cherries and marigolds

Cultivar testing going well!

A wall, full of worm drawings

And for anyone interested the worm wall has indeed grown

A cut out drawing of a tapeworm

Suspected Schyzocotyle acheilognathi

Salads in space: Students help NASA plan International Space Station menu Middle and high school students hope their seeds will be taken to space after they presented research to NASA about the best edible plants to grow on the International Space Station at the Growing …

Celebrating the end of the year with Growing Beyond Earth and the fantastic symposium from this weekend!

One of @alexiahilber.bsky.social ‘s very pretty worms :)

hand holding two bumper stickers over a snowy background. the bumper stickers have illustrations of two tarantulas, and one whip scorpion. text on each reads MY (TARANTULA/WHIP SCORPION) IS AN HONOR STUDENT.

bumper stickers i designed for arachnid parents 🤓
🐙 #bsnm

Some very simple in meeting worm doodles :) #sciart

Wow! Our students never cease to amaze us!
Alexia Hilber was awarded Best MS-level Student Oral Presentation at the Waterbird Society-Pacific Seabird Group meeting for her work on endoparasites of the invasive gray-headed swamphen, advised by Dr. Chris Blanar and Dr. Dave Kerstetter.

What’s the best first step to getting a cubicle? A worm wall of course!

We have competitively funded PhD projects on bees, mosquitoes,robotics and computer vision. Would suit candidates with interdisciplinary expertise. Please email us with your CV and Motivation letter by the 22nd of January.

The committee will see you now

Postdoctoral Fellow (Microbiomes of Tree of Life) Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges. We have an exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Fellow to work with Tree of Life and Parasites and Microbes teams to identify cobionts in genome sequence datasets as they are generated and thus build a catalogue of host-microbe associations. This PDF contract will be 3 years fixed term at the Sanger Institute Life on planet Earth is a complex web of interactions between organisms, some mutualistic, some harmful, some neutral. While sequencing diverse eukaryotic species, the Tree of Life programme at the Sanger Institute is also able to assemble the genomes of many (often unexpected) bacterial, archaeal and eukaryotic microbial organisms. We already have assemblies for over 6,000 bacterial, archaeal and eukaryotic microbes. These “cobionts” represent a subsampling of the organisms associated with the target species, and may be pathogens, parasites, components of the microbiome or chance encounters. To understand these cobionts more fully, we are seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to work in a collaboration between the Tree of Life (ToL) and the Parasites and Microbes (PaM) programmes to collate, annotate and explore the biology of the bacterial and archaeal cobionts we discover. About the Role: You will work with ToL and PaM teams to identify cobionts in genome sequence datasets as they are generated and thus build a catalogue of host-microbe associations. You will explore the evolutionary and systems biology of host-microbiome interactions, including identification of phylogenetic associations between hosts and microbes, exploration of virulence and other phenotypes in pathogens, exploration of phage metagenomes, definition and functional analysis of horizontal DNA transfers into host genomes, and other topics. Where required, additional data will be commissioned to better evidence particular aspects of host and microbe. About Us: The post is shared between the Blaxter group (which has a focus on large scale analysis of genome evolution across diversity) and groups within PaM who have interests in (respectively) the genomic epidemiology of human pathogens and human microbiomes in health and disease. You will be embedded in a supportive and dynamic environment to produce significant work of wide impact. About You: You should have a PhD in Biomedical science, statistical genetics, microbial genomics, computational biology or similar related discipline or equivalent working experience in bioinformatics. You will have the ability to analyse and interpret data with strong quantitative/computational skills. You will have relevant programming skills in modern languages including Python and R and experience with software development and good practice in coding. Applicants should have excellent communication and organisational skills, and have the ability to work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders. When you join us as a Postdoctoral Fellow, you will benefit from a unique and well-resourced learning environment that will equip you for your future career. We are proud to produce and analyse genetic and cellular data on a scale unmatched by other institutes in Europe to advance biological and medical science. Essential Scientific and Technical Skills: PhD in relevant subject area, or on track to be awarded your PhD within 6 months of starting the role Proven ability to deliver research projects A track record of demonstrating research excellence and expertise in your area of research Knowledge, skills and experience as appropriate to the research area including: Ability to analyse and interpret data with strong quantitative/computational skills Programming in relevant, modern languages, including Python and R; experience with software development and good practice in coding Excellent communication and organisation skills Ability to work collaboratively and inclusively with a range of stakeholders Essential Competencies and Behavioural Skills: Proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with wide range of persons of differing level, abilities and knowledge Foster an inclusive culture where all can thrive and diversity is celebrated Team player with the ability to work with others in a collegiate and collaborative environment Ability to effectively communicate ideas and results and present orally to groups Commitment to personal development and updating of knowledge and skills Ability to prioritise, multi-task and work independently Detail-orientated, with strong organisational and problem-solving skills Other information Please apply with your CV and a Cover Letter outlining how you would meet the criteria set out above. Salary: PDF £38,000 - £49,156 Role profile Closing Date: 26th January 2025 Recruitment Process: Zoom interviews w/c 3rd Feb, Face to face Interviews w/c 10th Feb Contract Type: 3 years fixed term contract Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger: We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks, LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others. We want our people to be whoever they want to be because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work. That’s why we’re committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive. Our Benefits: We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute. Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative In March 2018. The Technician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines. Life at the Sanger Institute is unique. We are tackling some of the most difficult challenges in genomic research. Our people are shaping the future by delivering life-changing science with the reach, scale, and creativity to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges. We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world.

Two postdoctoral positions at the Wellcome Sanger Institute focus on symbiosis genomics, analyzing eukaryotic and prokaryotic cobionts. Closing date: Jan 26, … https://sanger.wd103.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WellcomeSangerInstitute/details/Postdoctoral-Fellow--Microbiomes-of-Tree-of-Life-_JR102528 #job

Funded PhD opportunity with myself and Dr Rosie Williams (ZSL) looking into morphometrics and histopathology of stranded Porpoises 🐬 and their relationships with environmental contaminants

Deadline 20th January 2025

www.trees-dla.ac.uk/projects/end...

U.S. records first fatal bird flu case amid growing concerns about virus The U.S. has recorded its first fatal case of H5N1 bird flu, in a person from Louisiana who contracted the virus from infected chickens and wild birds in a backyard flock.

#Breaking: U.S. records first fatal bird flu case amid growing concerns about virus

Biology (M.S.)

Are you looking to pursue a M.S.? Want to research vector-borne viruses, understand more about viral evolution, and/or how viruses manage to infect multiple hosts while undergoing genetic change? Consider applying to the Towson University Biology Masters Program! www.towson.edu/fcsm/departm...

Applicants are invited for up to two (2) students (official USM start date August 2025 but summer 2025 start for accepted students will be supported) to join the lab of Dr. Donald Yee. The position(s) will focus on aspects of the population or community ecology of litter invertebrates or mosquitoes in the Luquillo Experiment Forest (LEF) in Puerto Rico at the NSF funded Luquillo Long Term Ecological Research site (LTER). The position will be supported during the summer months by the LTER (travel, lodging, and per diem). Full tuition scholarships for the successful applicant(s) are provided and support for the academic year is provided by teaching assistantships and research assistantships (when available) Position 1 (Ph.D.) will focus on litter invertebrate populations or communities, and could be based on effects of climate change including drought and large disturbances like hurricanes. We have several years of data on litter invertebrate communities (including pre-Hurricane Maria, 2017) that would serve as a good foundation for more specific hypothesis driven questions. Position 2 (M.S.) could focus on either litter invertebrates as above, or on mosquitoes in the LEF. Currently we are collaborating on a lizard-malaria system in the LEF as well as asking various ecological questions about understudied mosquitoes in the forest. Either system can serve as the basis for a high quality M.S. project. A taxonomic or systematic based project would also be entertained. Deadline for Fall 2025 applications is 15 February 2025. The Yee Lab is committed to an inclusive environment for all members. For these positions I am only accepting U.S. students. Before formally applying, interested students should submit (via e-mail) a cover letter with a brief (~ one page) review of your research experience, interests, and goals, a current CV, and contact information for two references to: donald.yee@usm.edu, Donald A. Yee, Ph.D., @mosquitolab (Blueky), School of BEES

Please share. I'm recruiting up to 2 grad students to join my lab this fall and work on litter inverts or mosquitoes in Puerto Rico (summer start date possible). I am NOT taking non-U.S. students. Either student should have interests and background in ecology of insects. Details in ad.🦟🐜🪳🇵🇷🌴

Mono from a yellow stingray (missing some organs, but still training my eyes) (yes the yellow stingray was named Gnocchi)

If it helps with your anxiety at all, four fifths of all animals are nematodes.

Happy end of finals! Have some whiteboard worm doodles

Amazing! ‘Twinkling Toxoplasma’ Tree (image by Kseniia Bondarenko) wins 2024 Festive Science Image Competition.